Mug Race facts for kids
| Sport | Sailing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1954 |
| Claim to fame | World's longest river race |
| Official website | rudderclub.com |
The Mug Race is an exciting yearly sailing competition. It takes place on the St. Johns River in Florida, USA. People call it the "World's Longest River Race."
The race starts in Palatka and finishes in Jacksonville. The course is about 38.5 miles long. Boats start near the Memorial Bridge and end at the Buckman Bridge. To join, a boat's mast must be shorter than 44 feet. This is so it can pass under all the bridges along the river. The main prize is the Mug Cup. This cup goes to the first boat that crosses the finish line. There are also over 100 other trophies for different types of boats.
History of the Mug Race
The Mug Race began in 1954. It has been held almost every year since then. It quickly became a popular event for sailors. Many different kinds of boats have competed over the years. The race is a big challenge because of the river's currents and changing winds.
Winning the Mug Cup
Winning the Mug Cup is a big achievement for sailors. The race tests their skill and speed. Many different captains and boats have won the cup. Some sailors have won it multiple times. This shows their amazing talent and dedication to sailing.
| Year | Home town | Captain | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 |  Jacksonville, Florida |
Al Holt | Cat Scow |
| 1955 | Charleston, South Carolina |
George Lockwood | 50 ft sloop |
| 1956 | |
Jim Vanvoast | Flying Dutchman |
| 1957 | Palatka, Florida |
Gene O'Connor | Raven |
| 1958 | |
Jim Vanvoast | Flying Dutchman |
| 1959 | |
Oscar Hubbert | C Scow |
| 1960 | Columbia, South Carolina |
George Walters | |
| 1961 | Titusville, Florida |
Hugh McClain | |
| 1962 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Herb Elphick | Catamaran |
| 1963 | |
William Miller | |
| 1964 | Cocoa Beach, Florida |
Luc Martin | Shark |
| 1965 | |
Charles Holt | |
| 1966 | Orlando, Florida |
Al Nikolaien | Helcat 25 |
| 1967 | |
Harold Balcom | Helcat 25 |
| 1968 | Merritt Island, Florida |
David Carey | Tornado |
| 1969 | Cocoa Beach, Florida |
Russ Gregory | Tornado |
| 1970 | Cocoa Beach, Florida |
Russ Gregory | Tornado |
| 1971 | Orlando, Florida |
Jim McCann | Tornado |
| 1972 | Cocoa Beach, Florida |
Russ Gregory | Tornado |
| 1973 | Orlando, Florida |
Jim McCann | Tornado |
| 1974 | Orlando, Florida |
Jim McCann | Tornado |
| 1975 | Orlando, Florida |
Jim McCann | Tornado |
| 1976 | Miami, Florida |
Chris Christensen | Nacra 5.2 |
| 1977 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Chuck Cairnes | Tornado |
| 1978 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Chuck Cairnes | Tornado |
| 1979 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Mike Walsh | Hobie 18 |
| 1980 | Boca Raton, Florida |
Eric Arens | 18 Square |
| 1981 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | Supercat 20 |
| 1982 | Boca Raton, Florida |
Eric Arens | 18 Square |
| 1983 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | Supercat 20 |
| 1984 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1985 | W. Palm Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1986 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1887 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1988 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1989 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1990 | Fort Walton Beach, Florida |
Randy Smyth | NACRA 6.0 |
| 1991 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1992 |  Montreal, Canada |
Philip James | Mystere 6.0 |
| 1993 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1994 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1995 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Bill Roberts | RC 27 |
| 1996 | Flowery Branch, Georgia |
Doug Harkrider | Supercat 22 |
| 1997 | Flowery Branch, Georgia |
Doug Harkrider | Supercat 22 |
| 1998 | Flowery Branch, Georgia |
Doug Harkrider | Supercat 22 |
| 1999 | Jupiter, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2000 | Orlando, Florida |
Lloyd Beery | Supercat 22 |
| 2001 | Miami, Florida |
Clive Mayo | Hobie 21 |
| 2002 | Jupiter, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2003 | Orlando, Florida |
Lloyd Beery | Supercat 22 |
| 2004 | Jupiter, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2005 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Mike Tierney | RC27 |
| 2006 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Robert Lyman | RC27 |
| 2007 | Jupiter, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2008 | Jupiter, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2009 | Charleston, South Carolina |
Robby Wilkins | E-scow |
| 2010 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2011 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2012 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2013 |  Napier, New Zealand |
Paul Scoffin | Flying Dutchman |
| 2014 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Chris Cordes | A-Cat |
| 2015 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2016 | Jupiter Beach, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
| 2017 | Jacksonville, Florida |
Rich Brew | RC27 |
| 2018 | Miami, Florida |
Ralph Cole | F20 Carbon |
| 2019 | Tequesta, Florida |
Eric Roberts | RC30 |
